I am 39 weeks pregnant tomorrow and have some questions about dilation, effacement and being induced?

Question

At my appointment last week I still wasn't beginning to dilate and not at all effaced. The babies head is very low though. I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and have another appointment but what if I'm still not dilated or effaced? I thought this all started weeks before giving birth? If I'm not dilated any tomorrow is that a sign I will need to be induced? The doc said he would induce if baby isn't here by my due date since we have a solid date as far as conception (was ttc, know when I ovulated and had early ultrasounds to back it).. If I am induced what can I expect? Will it heighten my chances of a c-section? I will discuss all this with my doc tomorrow I would just like to hear what you other women whom have been through this have to say..

Answer 1

You could be 0% effaced and cervix still closed, and with in HOURS it can open and efface and be on your way to having a baby. You may be induced since your doc is set on inducing you on your due date, but maybe not. That is something that no one can predict. BUT with the babies head being very low, you will more than likely be at least a bit dilated. I know its horribly uncomfortable right now, but try to walk as much as you can, that will let gravity keep the pressure from the baby's head on your cervix and it should start to open.

If conditions are not favorable (cervix still closed and long) induction may not even work. If the induction does work, yes it does raise your chances of having a c-section. Pitosin makes the contractions harder and stronger which can put the baby into distress and then it becomes an emergency to get the baby out as fast as possible via cesarean section.

My experience with induction, they will start out giving you cervadil or something similar, to try to soften your cervix out before they start pitosin. They also put a cervical catheter in to help me dilate faster, that is basically a balloon the put behind the cervix and kind of forces it open, they said when it fell out, I would be 4cm and they would break my water. Things went smoothly till they broke my water, then the hard contractions started. Get the epidural! lol! 6 hours after they started the pitosin, I was 10cm dilated and started pushing, 3 hours of pushing, she was out. Alot of pain and tears and screaming in between that though... Good luck!!! And congrats!

*edit* Also, I wanted to say (but forgot) if I were you and had a choice in being induced (I was induced because I had pre-eclampsia) I wait for it to happen naturally, I would give it 1 week past my due date for it to happen naturally and THEN say ok, lets induce. I know you are sure on the date you ovulated, but I would try to steer clear of induction if I could. Babies are safe for 2 whole weeks past their due date, then the placenta starts deteriorating, so I would seriously consider waiting... Again, good luck.

Answer 2

Trust me, dialation and effacement means nothing unless your in active labor.

I was 3cm & 80% effaced for the last 4 wks of my first pregnancy and had to be induced on my due date.

With my last child I was 4cm and 50% effaced for almost 2 weeks and ended up going 3 days overdue.

Answer 3

I was induced one week after my due date.  i was dilated one cm for almost a month, and didn't begin to dilate any more until they started my pitocin drip.  if you are induced be prepared for contractions to start one on top of the other (at least this is how it happend for me) i was afraid to be induced because there is a higher rate of c-sections but my doc and i talked about it and they said that they would only do a c section if something went really wrong (i have heard that some docs will do a c section if the labor starts and then stops, or if the labor is not progressing quick enough and my doctor said that these wouldn't be reasons for her to do a c section, only if me or the baby was in danger) so there are a few things to ask your doc about.  but my labor only lasted 7 hours after they started my pitocin drip, and i ended up getting an epidural (because my contractions were so close and SO painful) i pushed for about 45 minutes and there was my baby boy! Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

You don't have to be induced at all, you can go up to a week or two over your due date. It is a choice, the doctor is just trying to do you a favor by inducing on your due date.

I was induced twice, both times they started with a pill (cytotek or cervidil) inserted into my cervix to help it dilate. Then they start pitocin (iv drip), once your water bag starts to bulge, they will break it with a little hook. It is painless and really gets your labor going. They will usually wait until you are at least 4 cm dilated before you can get an epidural, you may be allowed to have pain meds before that if you request them. I didn't like all of the pain medicine, because I ended up just being really drowsy. So the second time, I only asked for an epidural. Once you get to 10 cm, you start pushing.

Usually women who end up having c-sections are having trouble with labor not progressing or pushing is taking too long. Getting induced is said to automatically put you at more of a risk for a cesarean. I never had to have one personally but I know a few people who did.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 5

I was induced 10 long days after my due date... and my son didn't want to come then.  They put the pill on my cervix around 9 am and I started having minor contractions about 10 (virtually no dilation, they told me it may not work that day!)  Around 11 or noon they started me on Pitocin, which really bumped up the contractions and I got my first pain shot around 1.  At 430 I had finally made it to a very painful 4 cm and they asked me if I wanted an epidural then but I thought I could tough it out a little longer so I waited.  An hour or so later I wanted it but the anesthesiologist was in surgery and couldn't get to me before 730 - AARRGGHH!!!  Don't make that mistake!  After the epidural, I was able to relax and things went much faster.  I started pushing a little after midnight and delivered at 124AM.  

Don't try to be a hero with the pain meds and induction.  Pitocin makes it hurt more.  And, the faster you are able to relax the easier it is for your body to get ready and the faster things go - GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

I have two kids and both were induced. As long as the babies head is down and low they will induce with a medicine in your iv and then break your water. This will make you labor start and you will then begin to dilate. As long as everything with the baby looks fine then your chances of a vaginal birth are very high.

Answer 7

women who have fewer Braxton hicks have less dilation and effacement prior to labor. These things usually happen during labor. I think you are just being paranoid. The body needs no help to start labor and yes induction increases your chances of cesarean. Due dates are an ESTIMATE which is why the chart reads EDD. The dates should not be relied upon strongly. The baby comes when it's ready. Posterior babies usually take a bit longer to get here so ask your doc to tell you what position your baby is in and if its an OP position you can expect baby to be slow coming.  

Answer 8

If you are not dilated or effaced, they will prob. use a topical ointment to help thin you out. You have to be dilated and thinning before they start to induce.  I was induced with my first, no c-section.  I'm not a doc , but I  don't believe that being induced increases the chance of a c-section.  It's the other issues as to size of the baby, or you still don't dilate, or don't dilate enough in a timely manner.

Good Luck!

Answer 9

Well, tomorrow isn't the 27th so you have a little time still. Your name says your due 8/27? Anyhow, labor doesn't always start weeks ahead for everyone. I didn't even start dialating until the actual day I had my first, and with my second it was maybe a week, but only a cm or two, then nothing until the day I had her too. I was effaced a couple weeks or so with each one - maybe 50% effaced or so, but none of this indicates the need for a c-section. Only your doctor can tell you for sure though. good Luck and Congrats!

Answer 10

Lots of ladies get induced. The doctor will probably break your water also.

Being induced brings on the stronger labor quicker. Try and see it as helping your labor happen. Please totally let your body go during contractions and imagine in your brain what is happening. Letting your body do it's work no matter how intense it is - is much better than tightening up.

See your cervix like a turtle neck.....the basketball aka baby head.

Even try this at home. Also a tennis ball through a sock.

the turtle neck needs to thin out and stretch out to expand to let the babies head move downward. Picture this as you labor. i have had patients go from dilated 5cm to  10 in a very short time.

There is no higher risk of a C section.

You will do great!

Soon you will be holding your pretty little one in your arms. it is such a miracle!

Answer 11

It sounds like you're right on schedule. Every woman's body is different and each pregnancy is different.

Induction doubles your chance of having a C-section. I would avoid it. Most likely your doctor will say, "we do it all the time. It's perfectly safe".  Not so. You can google "risks of inductions" and see what the risks are to both you and your baby. If it was me I would wait for your baby to choose his/her own birthday.

ADDITION: I can't believe an RN is saying there is no increase in C-sections with induction. Amazing.

Here are some statistics according to CNN. And then the link.

Five ways to avoid a C-section Story Highlights:

C-sections rose by more than 40 percent between 1996 and 2004

Many experts think as many as half of all C-sections are unnecessary

Inducing labor increases chances of a Caesarean section delivery

Laboring at home as until 3 centimeters dilated also reduces risk of C-section

Next Article in Health »

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/23/ep....

Answer 12

It is completely normal for your cervix to not change up until labor. A normal pregnancy can go up to 42 weeks. Induction does increase your risks of c/s especially if your body isn't ready (i.e. no cervical changes). I would trust your doctor and give yourself another couple weeks. Your body will do what it's supposed to when it's ready.